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IgE-reactive proteins from Stachybotrys chartarum
Charles Barnes1, Steve Buckley, Freddy Pacheco
1Section of Allergy/Immunology, The Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA.
Background:
Stachybotrys chartarum has been associated with idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants. This is thought to be mycotoxin-related. There are increasing numbers of reports linking this fungus to the indoor environment of patients with other pulmonary problems, including allergies and asthma.
Objective:
Given the potential significance of this fungus as a pulmonary pathogen, this work evaluates the antigenic proteins of S. chartarum as to their molecular size and the prevalence of immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG directed against them in the general population.
Methods:
S. chartarum was isolated from a local home. S. chartarum for extract production was grown on minimum salts and glucose. Plasma from 132 healthy individuals was evaluated for IgE and IgG directed against S. chartarum using direct and inhibition enzyme immunoassay. The number and molecular size of those proteins that were bound by IgE from pooled sera known to contain IgE to S. chartarum were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblotting.
Results:
Enzyme immunoassay indicated 65 of 132 (49.2%) sera tested contained IgG against S. chartarum and 13 of 139 (9.4%) sera tested contained IgE against S. chartarum. Pooled sera identified two IgE-binding proteins from extracts of S. chartarum spores and mycelia. These proteins are 34 and 52 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblot.
Conclusions:
We conclude sensitivity to S. chartarum is potentially much more widespread than previously appreciated. This fungus may impact the asthmatic and allergic population through both immunologic and toxic mechanisms. Its significance in the milieu of allergenic fungi may need to be re-evaluated.
Insights
Sensitivity to Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) is more common than thought, with nearly half the population showing IgG and almost 10% showing IgE antibodies. This fungus may significantly impact allergic and asthmatic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Immunology
- Mycology
Background:
- Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) is linked to infant pulmonary hemorrhage and increasingly reported in homes of patients with allergies and asthma.
- The mycotoxins produced by this fungus are suspected to be the cause of these health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antigenic proteins of Stachybotrys chartarum.
- To determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG antibodies against these proteins in the general population.
Main Methods:
- Stachybotrys chartarum was cultured, and extracts were prepared from spores and mycelia.
- Plasma from 132 healthy individuals was tested for IgG and IgE against S. chartarum using enzyme immunoassays.
- IgE-binding proteins were identified and characterized by molecular weight using SDS-PAGE immunoblotting.
Main Results:
- 49.2% of sera tested had IgG antibodies against S. chartarum.
- 9.4% of sera tested had IgE antibodies against S. chartarum.
- Two IgE-binding proteins of 34 kDa and 52 kDa were identified in S. chartarum extracts.
Conclusions:
- Sensitivity to Stachybotrys chartarum may be more widespread than previously recognized.
- The fungus poses a potential risk to individuals with asthma and allergies through immunologic and toxic mechanisms.
- The role of Stachybotrys chartarum among allergenic fungi warrants re-evaluation.